A Canadian study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR), has compared the impact of a web-based Asthma self-management system, with ‘usual care’, on asthma control and quality of life.

My Asthma Portal (MAP) is a Web-based self-management support system that couples evidence-based behavioral change components (self-monitoring of symptoms, physical activity, and medication adherence) with real-time monitoring, feedback, and support from a nurse case manager.

The study was conducted with 100 patients. 49 individuals were randomized to MAP and 51 to usual care. Compared with usual care, participants in the intervention group reported significantly higher asthma quality of life.

For poor control status, there was no significant effect of group, time, or group by time. For all self-reported measures, the intervention group had a significantly higher proportion of individuals, demonstrating a minimal clinically meaningful improvement compared with the usual care group.

The authors conclude that study supported the use of MAP to enhance asthma quality of life but not asthma control as measured by an administrative database. Implementation of MAP beyond 6 months, with tailored protocols for monitoring symptoms and health behaviours as individuals’ knowledge and self-management skills improve, may result in long-term gains in asthma control.